The kids were of course separated into groups. The first two groups that I had were all older. I had several meetings with the program director and he basically said where we go was up to me. Now at first that sounds fairly simple, but this would be many of the kids first time out in the woods and of course their first geocache! See the problem. A lame experience and it could turn them off of being outdoors altogether. Not good.
I found a nearby cache that was perfect. A great cache at a historic old dam with a roughly one and a half mile hike in along a trail. As the day approached I was very excited. We all met at the school and after introductions we loaded the bus to begin our adventure. Of course the bus wouldn't start! After half an hour of wondering what we were going to do it was discovered that the rear exit door had been improperly closed. Apparently that triggered a safety trigger not allowing the bus to start. On our way finally I talked to the kids about geocaching and what is involved. They asked all the usual questions about what a cache was, are they buried, is there money, etc. Everything was great until we got about half way there. That's when the rain started. Ugh!! That's what happened last year!
It rained all the way to the parking area and I knew it was going to rain the whole time. I was surprised to see that it didn't bother the kids one little bit. They were actually excited! We made our way from the trail head for the Bomber Trail which we
would follow to The CCC Dam Bomber Trail cache. We had a great hike in and made wonderful time. The kids were so excited when we arrived at the Dam. One thing that shocked me was that as we hiked in I talked to them about what the CCC was and about trail ethics. When I asked them about the mountains we all call home not one of them knew their name. It was sad really to see such great kids deprived of enjoying everything nature has to offer.
I took them in groups across the Dam and they loved the hunt and of course trading! I'm glad I brought an extra large bag of swag for them to go through. They cleaned me out!! LOL. The looks on their faces as they found the cache and went through the contents was priceless. They had a blast! So did the therapists that went along. They asked more questions than the kids did.I took the younger group out the next day. The therapists were still tired from the day before and really didn't want to hike very far. I decided on taking the kids to Talimena Treasures - Pioneer Cemetery cache. After my orientation we walked the short distance to the cache. Some of the kids from yesterday had asked permission to go again today which I thought was cool. The did have fun! Anyway, the kids hunt for awhile and i finally go to show them where the cache is hidden. Only I can't find it!
Oh no. I'm starting to freak out a little and my mind is racing for an impromptu plan b when one of the grade school kids looks at me and says " I see a white Tupperware, is that it?" Yep. it was. I was shown up by a little kid. It was hilarious. We all had a great laugh and the look of pride and accomplishment on that little boys face was all worth it. I'd go through a thousand little embarrassments to see that!
It was great taking them out and we have two trips planned next week. Culminating with a trip to Mt. Magazine State Park. It's going to be great.
